The increased grants under the housing adaptation for older persons scheme that came into effect from 1 December have considerably improved that scheme. However, another change in the scheme, which went under the radar until recently, is very unhelpful. That change is the abolition, for whatever reason, of the new boiler grant for older people. This decision makes absolutely no sense and is, in fact, counterproductive. New, modern boilers are much greener and much more efficient from an emissions point of view. The alternative for older people of an air-to-water system is cost-prohibitive. According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland installation, after grants, costs €9,000. The only practical alternative for older people is to continue with older, dirtier boilers or revert to solid fuel.

Thank you, Deputy. Your time is up.

Proper heating also ensures savings to the State in respect of nursing home and hospital costs.

You are way over time, Deputy. The Minister of State to respond.

I ask the Minister to reverse this very impractical decision.

As the Deputy said, there is a new and enhanced adaptation grant scheme, which brings in a lot of new innovations, including deductions from nursing homes fees and carers' fees.

What about the boiler grant?

The particular point he raised is something we are looking at. We will come back to him on it. This is an issue that is arising. We are looking at that aspect of the scheme.